The Service Dental treatments
On His Speed Dial Dr Ronnie Yap, Orchard Scotts Dental

Dental emergencies are unusual for David Tan, but one came up two months ago when he chipped his tooth after biting hard on a fork while eating. It took a quick call to his dentist Ronnie Yap of Orchard Scotts Dental, and an appointment was scheduled.

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The National University of Singapore associate law professor has been going to Yap for 20 years now. But the two have actually been friends for longer. They first met as 13-year-olds at St Patrick’s School in 1982, and became closer after braving through their first emergency situation together: “I had dislocated my shoulder while playing basketball one day and Ronnie, who was in the St John Ambulance Brigade, was there to pop it back in for me! I knew then that I could trust him with my life.” David has since been the emcee at Yap’s wedding and a guest to a Miss Singapore Universe competition that Yap was judging.

(Related: Astrie Sunindar‑Ratner: My Beauty Speed Dial)

Busy schedules mean the two seldom meet, but there’s never any awkwardness between them. “With old friends, it’s easy to pick up from where we left off and we don’t have to put up a facade,” says David. Yap quips, “He allows me to work in his mouth, so I don’t think we can get any closer than that!”

Photography: Darren Gabriel Leow
Fashion Direction: Desmond Lim  
Hair and Make-Up: Sha Shamsi/Indigo Artisans, using L’oréal Professionel and Too Faced, at Sephora

David wears his own suit.